Canadian retail sales of towable RVs showed a 14.6.0% increase in August and a 1.4% rise for the first eight months of 2011, according to the latest report from Statistical Surveys Inc. (SSI).

A sector-by-sector breakdown shows:

• Sales in the travel trailer sector rose 17.7% in August and rose 4.5% for the first eight months.

• Fifth-wheel sales rose 11.6% for the month and were down 2.6% year-to-date.

• Folding camping trailers registrations showed a 5.8% drop in July and a 13.2% decline for the first eight months.

• Recreational park trailers sales rose 20.8% for the month but are off 17.7% year-to-date.

Thor Industries Inc. was the overall towables sales leader for the eight months with a 33.9% market share followed by Forest River Inc. at 17% and Jayco Inc. holding a 15.6% share.

Thor also was No. 1 in travel trailer sales through August with a 32.4% market share while Jayco was No. 2 at 16.9%, edging out Forest River, which captured a 16.4% share.

Thor held a commanding lead in the fifth-wheel sector year-to-date, capturing a 49.2% market share, with Forest River posting a 16.5% share. Thor was also No. 1 in park model sales with a 36.2% share followed by Skyline Corp. at 17.2% and General Coach Canada and Forest River, tied for third at at 13.2%.

Forest River and Jayco were tied for the lead in the folding camping trailer segment for the first eight months at 25.1%.

To subscribe to this or other SSI reports, contact Scott Stropkai, national RV sales manager, at (616) 281-9898 ext 128, or (616) 446-8179 (cell).